Many countries around the world have made a negative covid test a prerequisite for entry. The most common way to obtain such a certificate is usually to go to an local test site. In Europe, an antigen test is often free of charge, abroad it can often cost roughly €50 (sometimes even more).
However, there are other ways to get a test certificate. Various providers now offer a video guided self test, i.e. you use one of the many available corona self-test kits and film the whole process. The provider checks that the test has been performed correctly and issues you a certificate of the test result.
The provider TestiFly has just significantly reduced its price for such a certificate. Instead of the regular €9.99, you’d currently only pay €2.99 for the service. And using a 10% discount voucher, the price drops even further to €2.69:
It is not clear how long the deal will last. Until a few days ago, the tests still cost €9.99. You don’t have to do the test right away. Just buy one or more codes that you can redeem later!
Not all countries accept the certificate of a video guided self test. Please inform yourself beforehand about the exact entry requirements! It is also not a PCR test, so you definitely have to go to a test site for one of those.
Simply redeem the following voucher code to reduce the price from €2.99 to €2.69.
How a Covid Self Test Works with TestiFly
- Check to see which covid self test kits are supported by TestiFly. The list is here
- Go to a supermarket, drugstore, etc. that has one of those test kits in stock
- Buy a code for the video guided self test on testifly.de
- Redeem this code in the iOS or Android app (only as APK download).
- Starts the certification process in the app. You need your identity card or passport and some personal data
- Follow the test instructions of your test kit and record the whole thing on video. The app guides you through the individual steps
- Waits 15 minutes for the test result to appear
- Take a picture of the positive/negative test
- Wait a few minutes to hours, and you will receive the certificate as a PDF (only Mon – Sun, 08:00 – 20:00)
A negative rapid test does not rule out an active covid infection. In addition, the reliability of the test kits’ results varies. When in doubt, do multiple tests to minimize the risk of a false negative test.
My Experience with TestiFly
I have used TestiFly several times in the past to obtain a test certificate to enter the USA. Basically, the whole thing works as promised and the processing times are usually relatively short. I never had a problem with the test certificate either.
These are some negative aspects:
- The website states a 4.6-star rating from over 15,000 reviews. Where these reviews supposedly come from is unclear. There is not a single rating in the App Store
- The Android app is not available in the Google Play Store. The website has been saying coming soon for some time. Until then, you have to install the app manually using an APK file.
- The Android app is sometimes a bit laggy and the video is very heavily compressed
- The service times (8:00 to 20:00 European central time) are not optimal for trips abroad
But for €2.69 I couldn’t resist and immediately put purchased several codes, just in case. Who knows how long the test requirements for international travel will remain in place.
Cover Picture: Guido Hofmann
Comments (8)
Has anyone used it to fly to French Polynesia from the US?
According to https://tahititourisme.com/en-us/covid-19/ the only thing you need is a negative rapid test less than 48 hours departure. TestiFly is certainly able to prove that, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t work.
Just make sure to get an approved covid self-test in advance. Those test kits sold in the US are (usually) not approved for TestiFly – and much more expensive, anyway.
Thanks, Peer! We‘re from Switzerland and could buy approved tests (as of Testifly) here. So hopefully it‘ll work out for flying from LAX to PPT as well. 🙂
Sounds good. I’ve just TestiFly for 4 or 5 times now and never had any problems. It looks like any other covid test certificate and includes both the German and English language.
However, I’d always make sure to check-in on time. This way, you could still do another test at LAY in the (highly unlikely) case that there are any troubles. Also, better bring one or two test-kits more than required in case it’s defective, delivers no result or whatever could happen.
Thanks a lot!
Hi, thank for your review. Which airlines accept the certificate? Did your Testifly certificate get acceptated by United airlines as well? The United chat agent didn’t have an answer to my question about it.
Hi Anne,
I tested this with Delta Air Lines, and it worked perfectly, so I’m pretty sure that there shouldn’t be an issue with other US airlines either. The certificate is in German and English, and should, therefore, in theory, be acceptable for pretty much all airlines/destinations.
To add another personal experience, AeroMexico accepts these test just as Brazilian immigration does. It does work pretty well.